BAKED IN A PIE

Sing a song of sixpence,
a pocket full of rye.
Four and twenty blackbirds,
baked in a pie.

When the pie was opened,
the birds began to sing;
wasn't that a dainty dish,
to set before the king?

The king was in his counting house,
counting out his money;
the queen was in the parlour,
eating bread and honey.

The maid was in the garden,
hanging out the clothes;
when down came a blackbird,
and pecked off her nose.

There was such a commotion,
that little Jenny Wren;
flew down into the garden,
and put it back again.

-English nursery rhyme, circa 1740s


Mushroom and Lentil Pot Pie with Gouda Biscuit Topping
(thanks to my dear friend Marcy for passing along this recipe--her blog is here)

Well, no blackbirds in this pie.  And it didn't quite come out dainty as it did hearty and comforting.  Here, with a side of sauteed swiss chard.

Oh, and for dessert:  roasted pear halves and ice cream.

For these, I melted half a stick of butter, half a cup of brown sugar, half a cup of apple butter, three tablespoons orange juice, and three tablespoons water in a saucepan, and then poured the mixture over six pear halves in a baking dish.  Roast at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes, or until the pears are soft.  Spoon over vanilla ice cream.

Happy Fall, y'all.